salaryRent is lower than in 79% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 4.6 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 18.2 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $45,800 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Louisiana cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Louisiana. It is number 49 of 102 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Monroe?
Share of households by yearly income. 14.8% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Monroe
| Size | Monroe | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $678 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $654 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $921 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,108 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $886 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Monroe overall?
Everyday prices in the Monroe metro area are 16% below the U.S. average (index 83.6, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Monroe
Life in Monroe
What jobs pay in Monroe
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $131,990 | 10.4% |
| Physician Assistant | $126,190 | 10.9% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,340 | 11.1% |
| Civil Engineer | $99,180 | 13.9% |
| Lawyer | $94,720 | 14.5% |
| Software Developer | $94,580 | 14.5% |
| Operations Manager | $94,240 | 14.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $89,740 | 15.3% |
| Dental Hygienist | $79,530 | 17.3% |
| Registered Nurse | $78,270 | 17.6% |
| Accountant | $73,840 | 18.6% |
| Electrician | $60,940 | 22.5% |
| HVAC Technician | $57,270 | 24.0% |
| Plumber | $55,670 | 24.7% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $55,360 | 24.8% |
| Market Research Analyst | $51,740 | 26.6% |
| Police Officer | $50,670 | 27.1% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $50,300 | 27.3% |
| Carpenter | $48,400 | 28.4% |
| Truck Driver | $47,300 | 29.0% |
| Warehouse Worker | $35,260 | 39.0% |
| Customer Service Representative | $34,520 | 39.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $34,430 | 39.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $29,880 | 46.0% |
| Retail Salesperson | $27,710 | 49.6% |
| Restaurant Cook | $27,090 | 50.7% |
| Cashier | $24,490 | 56.1% |
| Firefighter | $22,800 | 60.3% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $15,080 | 91.1% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Monroe?
Renting is cheaper right now: about $235 a month less.
Owning assumes a typical $198,900 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $19,890 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Monroe, LA?
Renting in Monroe costs a median of about $1,145 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Louisiana median is $1,165.
How much do I need to make to live in Monroe?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $45,800 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Monroe cheap or expensive?
Monroe is rated Expensive: rent takes 31.5% of the typical household income of $43,685. It ranks 49th cheapest of 102 Louisiana cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Monroe?
The median homeowner in Monroe pays $1,001 a year in property taxes, about 0.50% of the median home value.
Is Monroe more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 16% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Monroe?
The median home value in Monroe is $198,900, about 4.6 times the typical yearly household income.
47,004 people live in Monroe. Numbers are typical (middle) values.